The Green Procurement Program (GPP) for Public Offices kicked off last week with the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) by the representatives of different government offices.
The government offices that signed the MOU were the: Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), together with the DENR, DOE, DBM, DAP, DOST, Peza, and the Quezon City government.
The MOU on the GPP for Public Offices is a five-month training program to equip government procurement officials and technical staff on how to undergo green procurement and help address the environmental impacts that resulted from government operations.
The MOU covers the training for this pilot batch to provide them with technical assistance and capacity building to implement Executive Order 301, also known as the Establishment of a Green Procurement Program in the government Executive Branch.
The DTI, as the chairman of the National Ecolabeling Program—Green Choice Philippines (NELP-GCP) Board of Trustees, expects that government offices will lead in the appropriate purchase and use of “green” products and services to help the nation in the preservation and protection of its environment.
The DTI emphasized that finally, the government has embarked on the program that establishes its essential role in leading the pack for the improvement or development of a nation. It further emphasized that government is vital in imposing changes in processes and procedures to instill changes.
The DTI stated that a consensus in the NELP Board was arrived at to take the proactive stance and be the role models in the GPP. Department officials know it will not be an easy challenge to meet because it will involve developing the policies and procedures simultaneously.
The DTI believes that through the GCP, there is an intention to change the preference of consumers in their purchases and eventually create the demand for eco-friendly products and services. The DTI added that it will be persuading its colleagues in the government to do the same and help them understand their roles in promoting and achieving sustainable consumption and production in the country.
As more government offices patronize and demand eco-friendly products, the DTI said this will encourage more manufacturers and service providers to shift to environmentally-sound processes and eventually reduce, if not totally eliminate products or services which harm the environment.
Thus, the DTI calls on government offices to purchase and use products with the Green Choice seal to create a market drive for industries to go green. The DTI enjoins the government to step up its initiatives and programs for a green procurement program.
The joint efforts of the Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc (PCEPSDI), the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and the International Green Purchasing Network (IGPN) based in Tokyo, Japan, will ensure that the MOU will be implemented.
The Japan Fund for Global Environment (JFGE) of the Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency assists in the campaign to promote sustainable consumption among government institutions.
PCEPSDI is the administrator of the NELP, a government program that evaluates products and goods based on their environmental performance and then awards the Green Choice Philippines EcoLabel to manufacturers and distributors whose products and services have passed their set criteria.
DAP is the country’s National Productivity Organization, which is affiliated with the Asian Productivity Organization, also based in Tokyo. It promotes programs on cleaner production and green business.
IGPN is an association of Green Purchasing organizations from Japan, Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan. Its newest member, the Green Purchasing Alliance Movement of the Philippines is a 103-institution strong of Green Purchasing advocates from both the public and private sector.
